The next day, he ascended the throne, and I simply hid to the side, my hair covered with a black cloth, dressed in black robes. For nineteen years, I had been accustomed to wearing black clothes; perhaps in this way, I could conceal myself in the obscure darkness.
Long ago, I heard the morning bell and was called to offer sacrifices to the heavens. I spent the whole night without sleep. I straightened my slightly wrinkled clothes and looked at the crowd outside who walked with dignity but could not suppress their joy.
He was a very popular emperor; young, always smiling, and even the servants in the palace were very fond of him.
He walked past my room, surrounded by a crowd. I hid behind the door, unseen by him. Beside him was a pretty young woman. I recognized her; she was the daughter of one of his generals, a descendant of a founding father, and a fitting match for him. She looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, with clear, untainted eyes. Such eyes were most captivating.
He was already over twenty years old. Now that the world was relatively peaceful, those around him naturally urged him to get married as soon as possible, to establish a dynasty, and most importantly, to continue his lineage.
I waited until everyone had left before leaving the room to follow them.
The place for the sacrificial ceremony was far away in Tongshan. He had specially prepared a carriage for me at the palace gate. When I arrived, there was only that one carriage left. Even the servant who was driving the carriage was unwilling to wait any longer and was nowhere to be seen.
Looking up at the sky, it was still early.
After disassembling it, I mounted my horse and rode off in a flash. Tongshan is to the south.
The cheers and jeers lining the streets dazzled me, so I had to slip into an empty alley to escape the crowd. I didn't want people to label me a tyrant who kept monsters because of my appearance.
Upon reaching Guanghua Terrace on Tongshan Mountain, the sun was growing stronger. Fortunately, as we walked through the mountains, there were occasional shades to follow. When everyone entered the square, I found a small patch of space behind the stone statue to hide. The shadow cast by the statue narrowed inch by inch. I squinted at the white marble dragon-carved bricks and dared not move again.
The solemn ceremonies and music, everything, showcased his dignified and majestic demeanor as the emperor.
For me, this grand founding ceremony will perhaps only remain a memory of ritual music.
The sunlight gradually became too bright, and I could no longer see.
I don't know how much time had passed, but suddenly, the quiet and somber surroundings erupted in thunderous cheers. I knew he had completed the ceremony and officially entered the realm of this northern land. He was king, revered by all. He stood atop the mountains, overlooking the world. Amidst the ravages, the wilderness, and the hardships, all people saw him as their savior, hoping he would resolve everything. I firmly believed he could.
A glint of armor flashed past my eyes, perhaps from the guard's restless movement as he grew tired, making my already weak vision even more blurry. I looked up instinctively, but couldn't see anything clearly; instead, a strange unease gripped my heart.
I always have a vague sense of something, just like three years ago, when he pushed open the Liao family's door. I couldn't see his features clearly, and we had no connection whatsoever, yet I felt so deeply the overwhelming aura and surging power emanating from him. In the three years since then, although he has always joked with me, when he ascended the high platform and stood before the masses, I could still clearly sense that aura, just as I had three years ago.
The palpitations I felt now were increasingly undeniable, so I shrank back and hid deeper in the shadows, peeking out furtively.
Who was that person? This sudden palpitation... I pressed my chest; it felt so familiar.
Suddenly, watching the man's hand gesture towards his sword, I understood, completely and clearly.
Without time to think or heed the sunlight, I rushed out, ignoring the gasps of the crowd and the burning gaze he cast from afar.
I know that person! We absolutely cannot let him draw his sword, absolutely not!
"Liao Yan!" His exclamation cut through the crowd. I turned my head slightly, but my feet didn't dare to stop for even half a step.
Seeing me like this, the man drew his sword and grabbed the person next to him.
Those who entered Guanghua TV were all founding heroes, and none of them would not rise to prominence and become powerful figures who could turn the tide of events. None of them could be harmed!
With all my might, I lunged forward, knocking away the person he was about to grab. My hand instinctively went to block the sword; the blade was sharp, and my palm was icy cold.
That hand gripped my waist tightly, turning me around. I looked up, the sun blazing down – it was him! Basilji Yu! He really wasn't dead!
"Your Majesty! Protect the Emperor!" Chaos reigned all around. My vision was blurry; I could only barely make out a bright yellow figure gradually growing larger. I raised my hand. "Don't come, Ji Mo Dongli, don't come."
"Let her go!"
Three simple words, without any unnecessary elaboration, that's all.
A chill ran down my neck as Basilji Yu shouted in the Guifang language in my ear. He wanted the world to know that their revered monarch had committed such a shameful act as colluding with foreign enemies. But now, holding a knife to a woman's neck, how noble was he?
"Basiljiyu, release her. If your request is not excessive, I can grant it to you." He spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, without uttering a single word of his own. He understood the stakes at hand.
Basilji Yu continued to shout in the Guifang language, while Jimo Dongli turned to his servant and said something, his expression suddenly changing. Someone of his status wouldn't normally reveal such feelings, yet I could clearly sense his emotions, his heartbeat, as if there wasn't such a heavy wall of people separating us.
"If you want my empire..." His words caused a stir among those around him, "I cannot hand it over."
The blade at his neck suddenly drew closer.
"No. Don't touch her. Aside from the lives of others and the throne, I will give you anything you ask for."
The voice of Basilji Yu was almost indistinct in my ears. The scorching sunlight pierced my eyes, and I could no longer care about anything else. I almost fainted.
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